Review of Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium (2007) by Gareth R — 14 Nov 2010

Some films are very good, and some are very good while you're watching them. It's a subtle distinction - the difference between just renting a movie, and buying it - and Mr Magorium's Wonder Emporium falls on the wrong side of it. The film is colourful, enjoyable and gently whimsical while it unspools in front of you, but the moment it's over, you're left with the unfortunate business of making sense of it. The party is quite soon over.

It's the story of Mr Magorium (Dustin Hoffman), a two-hundred-and-something year old toy impresario who runs a magical toystore. He claims he'll be leaving soon, and so hires an accountant (Jason Bateman) to get the store in order. He must also prepare his protege Mahoney (Natalie Portman), who hopes one day to become a renowned pianist, to take over. Meanwhile a young boy (Zach Mills) who also works there tries to make friends, and narrates the story to us. While the guy who lives downstairs illustrates it.

Now, I said it was the story of Mr Magorium. It's actually at least four stories pootling along next to each other. Mr Magorium's store is in a bad way because of his imminent departure; Henry (Bateman) doesn't make any time for fun, and must learn to do this; Eric (Mills) must make friends; and Mahoney must learn her purpose, and deal with the leaving of Mr Magorium. None of these plots ever really command the narrative, such as it is. Watching the film, one achieves a gentle understanding of death and loss and an appreciation of whimsy, with laughs and smiles and moving moments along the way. But ask me what the film is about in a nutshell and, um...

There's something confectionary about the whole thing. Dustin Hoffman's entire performance is a whimsical delight, and his moments of mediation on life and death are well-put and affecting. Eric may not have a great deal to do, story-wise, but Zach Mills takes sufficient command of his scenes to be really memorable. And even though Mahoney thinks the same of Mr Magorium and his store at the start of the movie as she does at the end, hers is still quite an interesting storyline to follow. (Seriously though, what new information does she actually learn in the course of it?) However, all of it, sweet or not, is as disposable as candyfloss.

There are also missed opportunities. The store itself is a character, with moods and temper tantrums, but it's never fully utilised by the story. I had hoped for some sort of quest to cheer the place up, perhaps even with the characters trekking into its back-rooms and underbelly to make this happen. Instead, the store simply acts as a reflection of what everyone else is feeling. All those moments where Magorium, Eric or Mahoney worries that the store is on the brink of snapping do not culminate. To create a magical world, even the size of a department store, and not do many magical things with it seems like a waste.

(Waste also goes for the musical score, which really ought to be significant due to Mahoney's classical ambitions, but mostly just sounds like forgettable piano noodling. I don't remember a note of it.).

Despite all the things that it doesn't do, such as last, Mr Magorium's Wonder Emporium is still a sweetly rewarding concoction. It may not add up very neatly, but the process of watching it is enjoyable. Critics - not to mention friends of mine - have not been kind to the film, and although I can agree it's got problems, this seems harsh. It's an innocent and pleasing fairytale experience, which I would recommend, just about. It's no masterpiece, but it's pleasant.